Tilde
Alternatively referred to as the squiggly or twiddle, the tilde is a character ( ~ ) on keyboards below the escape or Esc key. It is located on the same key as the back quote that resembles a squiggly line. The graphic gives a representation of how the tilde character may appear when typed.
Where is the tilde key on the keyboard?
Below is an overview of a computer keyboard with the tilde key highlighted in blue.
How to create the ~ symbol
Creating the ~ symbol on a U.S. keyboard
To create the tilde symbol using a U.S. keyboard hold down the Shift key and press tilde key. The key is located on the same key as the back quote ( ` ), directly below the Esc key, in the top-left portion of the keyboard.
Creating the ~ symbol on a smartphone or tablet
To create a tilde on a smartphone or tablet open the keyboard and go into the numbers (123) and then (#+=) or symbols (sym) section and then press your finger on the ~ symbol.
What is a tilde is used for on a computer?
Below are a few examples of how and when the tilde is used.
- In languages such as Spanish and Portuguese, the tilde is a diacritical mark that is placed over a letter such as 'ñ' and 'ã' to help emphasize the letter.
- Shorten long file names in Microsoft Windows 95 above. For example, changing the "Program Files" directory to the "Progra~1" directory.
- In regular expressions, the tilde can be used for pattern matching.
- In C programming languages, the ~ represents a bitwise NOT.
- Get to the home directory on a Linux computer (e.g., cd ~).
- Access the console in programs and games such as Quake.
- In mathematics, ~ is used to indicate an approximate number.
- Access to the Tilda GTK+ terminal emulator.
How to get a tilde above a letter
To place a tilde, or another accent mark, above a letter on keyboards, use the character map, or use the "insert special character" feature of the program.